Enzo Maresca has reportedly sent a strong message to Iliman Ndiaye, making it clear that the Manchester City forward must improve his performances before he can earn another place in the starting lineup.
The Manchester City manager is believed to be demanding more consistency, determination, and attacking quality from the Senegalese international as competition for places continues to increase at the Etihad Stadium.
Ndiaye arrived at Manchester City with expectations that he could make a significant contribution to the team’s attacking department. Known for his technical ability, close control, creativity, and confidence when taking on defenders, the forward possesses qualities that can make him a dangerous player in the Premier League. However, playing for a club with Manchester City’s ambitions requires more than individual talent, and Maresca is determined to ensure that every player meets the standards expected of them.
According to the reported situation, Maresca wants Ndiaye to demonstrate greater consistency in his performances before he can be trusted with a regular starting role again. The manager is believed to value the player’s abilities, but he also expects him to contribute more effectively to the team’s overall style of play.
For Ndiaye, the message is straightforward: talent alone will not guarantee him a place in Manchester City’s starting eleven.
Manchester City operate in an environment where every position is fiercely contested. The club has built its reputation on having a squad capable of maintaining a high level of performance throughout a demanding season. Every player must be prepared to work hard, follow tactical instructions, and make a meaningful contribution whenever given an opportunity.
Maresca understands that maintaining those standards is essential if Manchester City are to compete for major honours. Consequently, he is unlikely to hand starting positions to players simply because of their reputations or previous performances. Instead, the manager wants to see evidence of improvement on the training ground and during matches.
Ndiaye’s situation could therefore become one of the important individual storylines to follow as Manchester City continue their campaign.
The Senegalese forward has several qualities that could make him an important part of Maresca’s plans. His ability to carry the ball, operate in tight spaces, and create opportunities through individual brilliance gives Manchester City another attacking option. Against opponents who defend deep and attempt to restrict the space available between the lines, players with Ndiaye’s technical ability can be particularly valuable.
However, Maresca’s tactical demands mean that attacking players must contribute in several different areas. They cannot simply wait for the ball and hope to produce a moment of magic. They must understand when to press, when to maintain possession, when to make runs behind the opposition defence, and when to create space for their teammates.
These responsibilities can make the difference between a talented player who occasionally produces outstanding moments and a dependable performer who can be trusted to start important matches.
Maresca is understood to want Ndiaye to become more influential in these areas. The manager’s reported concerns centre on the need for greater consistency and a more complete contribution whenever the forward is involved in the game.
One of the areas Ndiaye may need to improve is his decision-making in the final third. Manchester City frequently dominate possession, meaning their attacking players must make intelligent decisions when faced with limited space. Holding the ball for too long, choosing the wrong pass, or attempting an unnecessary dribble can allow opponents to reorganise defensively.
Ndiaye has the technical ability to beat defenders, but knowing when to take risks and when to release the ball quickly is equally important. If he can combine his dribbling skills with better decision-making, he could become a more effective attacking weapon for the team.
Another important factor is his contribution without possession. Modern football requires forwards to participate actively in defensive transitions and pressing situations. When Manchester City lose the ball, their attacking players are expected to react quickly, close passing lanes, and help prevent opponents from launching dangerous counterattacks.
Maresca will want Ndiaye to demonstrate that he understands these responsibilities. A player who works tirelessly for the team can provide enormous value even when he is not scoring goals or creating clear-cut opportunities.
His movement off the ball will also be important. Manchester City’s attacking system depends on intelligent positioning, quick combinations, and coordinated runs. Ndiaye must recognise opportunities to stretch opposing defences, move into dangerous spaces, and create passing options for teammates.
If he improves these aspects of his game, he could give Maresca greater tactical flexibility and become a more dependable option for the starting lineup.
Nevertheless, being left out of the starting eleven does not necessarily mean that Maresca has lost confidence in the forward. Managers often rotate their squads to manage fatigue, respond to particular opponents, and encourage players to improve. A period on the bench can sometimes provide the motivation a footballer needs to return with greater determination.
For Ndiaye, the challenge will be to turn the situation into an opportunity rather than a setback.
The forward must continue working hard in training and demonstrate that he is willing to respond positively to the manager’s expectations. Coaches pay attention not only to a player’s technical performance but also to their attitude, discipline, and willingness to learn.
If Ndiaye responds professionally, he could strengthen his position within the squad and demonstrate that he has the mentality required to succeed at a club competing at the highest level.
There is also the question of competition within Manchester City’s attacking department. The club’s ambitions mean that players must constantly fight for their positions, particularly when several footballers are capable of performing similar roles.
No attacking player can afford to become complacent. One strong performance from a teammate can change the manager’s selection priorities, while a series of disappointing displays can make it difficult for another player to regain his place.
That reality makes every training session and every substitute appearance important for Ndiaye.
When opportunities arrive, he must demonstrate that he can influence matches. This could mean producing a decisive pass, creating chances through his movement, pressing aggressively, or helping the team maintain control during difficult periods.
Goals and assists will always attract attention, but managers also evaluate the overall contribution of their attacking players. A forward who consistently makes the correct decisions and follows the team’s tactical plan can become indispensable even when he is not directly involved in every goal.
For Maresca, the ultimate objective is to build a team in which every player understands their responsibilities. Individual brilliance is welcome, but it must serve the collective ambition of Manchester City.
The manager will therefore expect Ndiaye to show that he can balance his natural creativity with tactical discipline. Rather than abandoning the qualities that make him dangerous, the Senegalese international must learn how to use them more effectively within the team’s structure.
There could be significant benefits for both the player and the club if that improvement happens.
Ndiaye would have a stronger opportunity to establish himself as a regular starter, while Manchester City would gain another attacking player capable of changing the course of difficult matches. His pace, technique, and ability to challenge defenders could prove valuable during the demanding periods of the season when the team needs fresh ideas and different attacking approaches.
However, the responsibility ultimately rests with the player. Maresca can provide guidance, identify areas for improvement, and create opportunities, but Ndiaye must deliver the performances required to justify his selection.
The situation could also serve as a reminder to the rest of the Manchester City squad that nobody is guaranteed a place in the starting eleven. Every player must maintain high standards, regardless of their reputation or position within the team.
Such competition can create pressure, but it can also improve the overall quality of a squad. When players understand that their positions depend on their performances, they have an additional incentive to work harder and maintain their concentration.
Manchester City will need that mentality if they are to remain competitive across domestic and European competitions. A long season brings injuries, suspensions, fixture congestion, and difficult matches, making the contribution of every squad member potentially important.
Ndiaye could still play a significant role in the club’s plans, provided he demonstrates the improvements expected of him.
For now, the key question is whether the forward can respond to the challenge and convince Maresca that he deserves another opportunity from the beginning of a match.
His technical qualities have the potential to make him an exciting player to watch, but the next stage of his development will depend on consistency, discipline, and his ability to make the right decisions under pressure.
If Ndiaye rises to the challenge, he could turn a difficult period into an important turning point in his Manchester City career. If he struggles to meet the manager’s expectations, however, competition for attacking positions could make his path back into the starting eleven considerably more difficult.